The Essential Jane Fonda

This Friday on Netflix is Grace and Frankie, a brand new original comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Martin Sheen, and Sam Waterston. Fonda and Tomlin star as two longtime nemeses who must learn to get along after their respective husbands (Sheen and Waterston) confess they’re in love with each other. From Marta Kauffman, the creator of Friends, it’s a series about starting over and finding comfort in the most unlikely of people — all with a little help from marijuana. In gearing up for the show, we’ve compiled the very best of Jane Fonda’s (50-year!) career.

'Cat Ballou' (1965)

Photo: Everett Collection

Fonda looked criminally stunning as the title star of the Western crime comedy. Desperate to save her father’s ranch from local crooks, Cat Ballou hires a gunman (Lee Marvin) to protect her family and her property, but their camaraderie becomes something more and pins them against the rest of the town. [Where to stream Cat Ballou]

'Barefoot in the Park' (1967)

Photo: Everett Collection

Based on Neil Simon’s play of the same name, Fonda stars alongside Robert Redford in this newlywed story about throwing caution to the wind and, quite literally, running barefoot through the park. Fonda plays Corie, a free spirit whose husband Paul (Redford) is an uptight lawyer who can’t see the dysfunctional beauty that is the East Village. [Where to stream Barefoot in the Park]

'They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

Photo: Everett Collection

In this (rather bonkers) tragic drama directed by Sydney Pollack, Fonda plays the depressed Gloria, a woman scorned by her past and desperate to win a dance contest that could push her to the next level. But when favoritism and dark truths rear their ugly heads, Gloria chooses her own fate. [Where to stream They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?]

'Klute' (1971)

Photo: Everett Collection

Fonda won her first Oscar and garnered international fame for the role of Bree Daniels, a New York City prostitute who helps a local detective, John Klute (Donald Sutherland), track down a kidnapper who has taken one of the department’s men. [Where to stream Klute]

'Julia' (1977)

Photo: Everett Collection

Based on a chapter of Lillian Hellman’s memoir, Pentimento, Fonda plays a dramatized version of the author, whose friend Julia (Vanessa Redgrave) ropes her in to help take down the Nazis on a covert mission in Russia. Once again, Fonda was nominated for Best Actress, but lost to Diane Keaton for Annie Hall. Redgrave, however, snagged Best Supporting Actress. [Where to stream Julia]

'Coming Home' (1978)

Photo: Everett Collection

Hal Ashby’s post-Vietnam War drama earned Fonda her second Oscar in less than a decade and broke the mold for her production company, IPC Films. Co-starring Jon Voight, the film was inspired by Vietnam vet Ron Kovic, whose autobiography, Born on the Fourth of July, later inspired Oliver Stone’s film of the same name. [Where to stream Coming Home]

'The China Syndrome' (1979)

Photo: Everett Collection

In this slow-burn conspiracy thriller, Fonda plays scrappy reporter Kimberly Wells, who, after learning something’s amiss at a nuclear power plant, summons her cameraman (Michael Douglas) to help uncover the truth. The film, which earned both Fonda and the late Jack Lemmon Oscar nominations, was ahead of its time in mainstream commentary about environmental responsibility and the potential dangers of nuclear energy. [Where to stream The China Syndrome]

'Nine to Five' (1980)

Photo: Everett Collection

Fonda plays the recently divorced Judy Bernly, who gets a secretary job at a soul-sucking corporation where she meets Violet (Lily Tomlin) and Doralee (Dolly Parton). The trio can’t catch a break from their lying, sexist, egomaniac boss Mr. Hart. But when Violet believes she accidentally poisons his coffee, their fantasy of killing their superior begins to come true. [Where to stream Nine to Five]

'Jane Fonda's Workout'

Photo: Karl Video Corporation/RCA SelectaVision

In addition to being an accomplished actor, Fonda is also a bonafide fitness guru, famous for her ’80s workout videos, which still rank as one of the most profitable fitness video franchises of all time. After injuring herself on the set of The China Syndrome, Fonda picked up aerobics and, in turn, established helped middle-aged women get fit with low to high intensity aerobics regimens. [Stream them on Amazon Instant Video]

'The Morning After' (1986)

Photo: Everett Collection

In this crime mystery from Sidney Lumet, Fonda plays Alex, a alcoholic, has-been actress who wakes up to find a murdered man in her bed. The bleak role earned earned Fonda yet another Academy Award nom for Best Actress, but it would be her last before going into a ten-year retirement in the ’90s. [Where to stream The Morning After]